The Smarter Spaces Tour was created to promote great design in smaller spaces. As the movement toward a more urban society becomes increasingly popular, smaller homes with smart space, design and sustainability choices have become the norm. The Smarter Spaces Tour will feature homes under 2500 square feet that feature fantastic use of space.

On Saturday’s tour are Sustain Center’s modularly built model homes for Reclaimed Space and ClearSpace. While aesthetically very different – one utilizing reclaimed materials in its design elements, the other focusing on clean modern design – both incorporate highly energy-efficient building materials and creative, multi-purpose spaces. Both models can also be built to suit the homeowners’ preferences, site requirements, and offer off-grid possibilities.

Gone are the days in which the term "prefab" conjured up visions of boxy mobile homes. Prefabricated modular homes now exemplify the essence of eco-conscious building by drastically reducing construction time, materials transportation, construction waste, and damage to native plant life at the home site. These unique spaces are great solutions for small home living, guest house, detached home office, workshop or even a vacation cottage.

The 2012 Smarter Spaces Tour will take place in Austin, Texas on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. While tickets for the tour may be purchased for $30 at any of the tour properties on the day of the tour, Sustain Center is open to the public for FREE from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and you need not register for the tour to visit the Reclaimed Space and ClearSpace homes.

For information about the Smarter Spaces Tour visit: http://smarterspacestour.com/index.html Tour details for Sustain Center’s homes can be found at: http://smarterspacestour.com/443bastrop.html

For information regarding Reclaimed Space, including image gallery and details on their deconstruction program which diverts usable construction materials from the landfill, visit: http://reclaimedspace.com/

Information for ClearSpace Homes, including image gallery and featured green building materials can be found at: http://www.clearspacehomes.com/index.html

Sustain Center, located at 443 South Bastrop Highway (next door to Callahan’s General Store on 183 South), is a new education center and cooperative demonstration project comprised of variety of local businesses displaying sustainable systems and products. Visit www.SustainCenter.com for more details.